First Love // H.S.

2

'Oh my god, I'm freaking out.' Lottie mumbles under her nerves when the winners are being announced; Matt Cardle, Rebecca Ferguson and One Direction on stage.
I stand up out of excitement and cross my fingers.

'Winner of The X-Factor 2010 is...'
The presentator gets interrupted by several girls shouting One Direction. It makes me smile.
'Matt Cardle.' He finishes. I feel a sinking feeling inside me; while the crowd cheers; and stop crossing my fingers.

'Fuck.' I mumble.
'Language, Olivia. Matt deserved to win.' Mum comments.
'Shush, maybe they got the second place.' Dad says. My eyes immediately flash back to the boys and I get hope again.

'The second place goes to...'
The girls shout One Direction again.
'Rebecca Ferguson.' The presentator says.
'Oh, come on!' I shout while the crowd starts cheering again, and the boys release each other, looking sad and disappointed.
'There's been made a mistake. How can they end up in third place?' I say.

'Zayn, what's gonna happen to One Direction now?' The presentator asks Zayn.
'We'll definitely stay together.' Zayn answers.
The crowd cheers in excitement, including me and my family. I think that if they would split up, everyone would die in sadness.

'Olivia, we're going backstage a little earlier so that we avoid the crowd. Are you coming or are you staying here?' mum asks.
'Yeah, yeah, I'm coming with you guys.' I answer, and I come after them.
The same guard who wouldn't let me pass stands at the backstage door. He looks me and almost immediately steps away from the door, as if he's scared of me.

'Louis!' Félicité shouts out when they get back backstage. She runs to Louis and hugs him as if she hasn't seen him in years.

'Whoa, Jesus, Félice. can I breathe?' Louis laughs, gently pushing her off of him. I get to Louis, and hug him as well, only less tight.

'You did an amazing job, brother.' I say.
'He didn't, I did. Louis sucks.' Harry gets in between. I release Louis and look at Harry. He's literally smiling through the tears, I don't know how he does it. He must feel like absolute shit right now.

'You totally missed that high note. You suck.' I say to Harry.
'Guys, keep it nice, will you.' Louis orders before he walks to mum and dad.

'Okay, now that he's gone; he sucked, didn't he?' Harry asks, talking quietly.
'Nope, you did. You're making people go deaf with your voice cracks. Go back to making bread, that could be somewhat useful to people.' I answer, also talking quietly. Harry scoffs offended.

'What did I do to deserve this?' He asks.
'You said that Louis sucked.' I answer.
'Okay, sorry about that. But I've been meaning to ask you something; can I get your number?' He asks.

'Harry, I'm really sorry you didn't win. You were really good, the others were too. But that doesn't mean you're getting my number.' I say.
'Really? Why not?' Harry asks disappointedly.
'I'm not interested.' I answer carefully.
'But I actually meant as friends... I like you. As friends.' Harry explains. I stay silent for a few seconds, feeling really embarrassed.

'Okay, I'll give you my number. Gimme your phone.' I say then. Harry takes out his phone and silently gives it to me. I put my number in his contacts, and give it back to him.

'I'm gonna go to Louis.' I tell.
'Sure, go. Thanks.' Harry answers. I nod in response, a gentle smile on my face. I get back to Louis and the rest of my family.

'Where's Simon? I gotta see him with the band.' Louis wonders out loud, looking around the crowded rooms and hallways.

'I suggest you find all your band members first.' Dad says.
'Good idea.' Louis answers.
'I'll help you look!' I say excitedly. Before Louis can protest, I dive into the crowd.

'Liam!' I call out when I see Liam. He looks a bit confused, looking around to see who just called out his name.

'Liam, you gotta get back to the band.' I say when Liam finally sees me.
'Yes, I figured. We gotta see Simon.' He says.
'Come with me, we'll go find the others.' I answer before continuing my search-journey.

'I see Niall!' I call out.
'Hey, Niall!' Liam calls. Niall looks the same way Liam did, confused. When he sees Liam and me, he pushes himself a way towards us.

'Where are the others?' He asks.
'I'm working on it. We're missing Harry and Zayn.' I answer.
'She's quite a good searcher.' Liam adds.
'Thank you.' I say, giving him a pleased smile.

'Wait, I see Harry's hair!' I say, pointing the other way. Niall bursts out in laughter.

'His hair? Did you just recognize Harry by his hair?' Liam asks, also laughing.
'His hair is remarkable, admit it.' I answer.
'Yeah, you're right. Harry has remarkable hair.' Niall says before bursting out in laughter again.

'Does he find everything funny or am I imagining things?' I ask Liam.
'Niall... he's a special guy.' Liam answers dramatically, making me chuckle.
'I'll be right back.' I say before pushing myself a way to Harry. I grab his hand without warning and pull him away.

'Whoa, Livvie, what are you doing?' Harry asks.
'Taking you to Niall and Liam.' I answer.
'By holding my hand?' Harry asks.
'You have a good pair of eyes, Harry. Now come on, you gotta see Simon with the band.' I say. I pull him back to Niall and Liam.

'She really recognized him by his hair!' Niall laughs.
'What?' Harry asks confused.
'She recognized you by your hair.' Liam explains.
'I still don't understand.' Harry answers, moving his hand through his hair.

'It doesn't matter. You guys; no matter what you do- stay here. I'll be back with Louis and Zayn.' I say.
'She's awesome.' Liam comments.
'And not really open about giving her number.' Harry mutters. I ignore both of them and dive back into the crowd of people.

It doesn't take a lot of time to find Zayn, about a minute. I recognize him by the shirt he's wearing.

'Zayn!' I call out.
'Yes?' Zayn answers, approaching me.
'Niall, Harry and Liam are waiting. I just gotta find Louis, you coming?' I tell.
'I think I saw Louis going that way.' Zayn answers, pointing to the right.

'I see him!' I exclaim when I see Louis.
'Louis, I found all of them!' I call out to Louis. Louis looks at me, looking impressed.

'You found them all? How fast are you?' He asks.
'Apparently, really fast. I should become a professional searcher. Come.' I say. Zayn and Louis follow me to the spot where Niall, Harry and Liam are waiting.

'She wasn't lying.' Liam says once he sees me with Zayn and Louis by my side.

'That was so fast! How did you do that?' Niall asks, obviously impressed.
'It was nothing. Now that you're reunited, please go see Simon! Louis, I'll see you later.' I say. Louis nods.

'Bye, boys!' I call out before going back to my family. I hear Liam and Niall say goodbye back.